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Inspire Cheshire West has closed. Thank you to everyone who took part. Your contributions, stories, ideas and experiences about life under lockdown restrictions were a valuable resource to the communities of west Cheshire.

Local Mum Sets Up Food Bank in Kelsall Village

Local mum and teacher, Vicky Charlton, has set up the Kelsall Food Bank in direct response to the Covid 19 crisis.

At the beginning of the crisis Vicky initially joined the Kelsall Support Network - a team of volunteers that are organised and deployed to help those members of Kelsall who are self-isolating or who are struggling for whatever reason during this difficult time. On her travels, and armed with a bundle of leaflets, Vicky set out to visit 3 streets in Kelsall. This trip was to change everything! Through chatting to one local resident it was clear that they were not going to eat that week unless they were supported. And from that conversation the Kelsall Food Bank was born!

The Food Bank has gone from strength to strength and they are now supporting seven families in the village. Local members of the community support with their time, donations of food or money and the best bit - deliveries! "Seeing smiling faces every Saturday is my treat of the week!" said Vicky.

The support doesn't just stop with the local residents as Vicky has managed to secure a grant from Cheshire Police, as well as drumming up support from the local shops - Dutton's Butchers supply fresh meat for each family every week and the CO-OP donates products every Friday evening - as well as gifting the Food Bank £50! Help and advice is always available from Harry, the local councillor, as well as, Molly, Vicky's daughter, who helps out with packing the food parcels and deliveries.

All in all it's a team effort and Kelsall Food Bank will remain in place until the lock down lifts.

No homeless in Chester....... being fed each day by artisan food outlets, churches and others.

Many organisations and individuals had been working together including businesses, social enterprises, faith groups, volunteers to house the homeless.Somehow the Covid19 allowed every homeless person to be accomadated and fed, predominantly by local artisan food outlets, every day.A mention to Soul Kitchen playing a leading role in this and the organisations they work with.No homeless in Chester....... being fed each day by artisan food outlets, churches and others.No homeless in Chester....... being fed each day by artisan food outlets, churches and others.T: @soul_chesterF: Soul Kitchen Chester

Weekly tracking

Local charity for the visually impaired expands services to assist all in need across Chester and Ellesmere Port during the COVID-19 pandemic.Chester and District Federation of the Blind is a small, local charity run by and for people who are blind and partially sighted. They have a large building with catering fridges and freezers, a number of vehicles and 200 long-standing volunteers and have stepped up to provide vital services for the whole community irrespective of their vision.Charity manager Sue Hearfield said “The most important part of the service is that we are able to track the changes in people’s…